"7 years ago I was fortunate enough to meet and spend some time with one of my early guitar heroes, Alex Lifeson of RUSH. He's been a HUGE influence on my guitar playing throughout the years, and he's also one of the kindest human beings you'll ever meet. Now, 7 years later, he's performed a MIND-BLOWING guitar solo on my song, 'Once a Warrior.' I'm so happy to have Alex on my new album, 'Disconnect,' and I can't wait for you to hear it!" - John Wesley, February 6, 2014

ProgReport.com posted a video interview with John Wesley where he gave credit to Alex Lifeson as a large inspiration behind the "heavy guitar sound" emulated by Porcupine Tree, and also talked about how Alex came to record on his solo album. You can tune in here, he first discusses Lifeson and Rush at the 8:55 mark, and again at the 16:50 mark.

HuffingtonPost has posted another new video interview with John Wesley where he expands on how Alex Lifeson became involved with Disconnect. You can check it out online here.

Cleveland Indians pitcher John Axford has asked the fans to vote to choose the
music he uses before entering games this season. Working Man is one of the choices, vote here!

UPDATE March 25th: Working
Man has made it to Round Two in the voting for Cleveland Indians' John
Axford’s entrance song. Round two ends tomorrow with round three
beginning on March 26th. Keep voting, currently “Working Man” is in the
lead for round two at 28% of the vote.

UPDATE March 31st: "Working Man" is in the finals against the Beastie Boys' "Sabotage", and today is the final day to vote. Vote now!

Today Radio.com posted a new article where they look back on Rush's debut album released 40 years ago this month. Geddy Lee talks about the album, the inspiration behind "Working Man", and how the album was "saved" thanks to Terry Brown:

"The first version of our first record was really crappy, and that’s when we met the guy who really changed our lives, which was Terry Brown. And he became our producer for the next 10 years and taught us so much about making records. He saved that album, when I think of that album, I think of him, I think of that first session, when we took those poorly recorded versions of those songs, and he decided what was salvageable and what we should just re-record."

It's finally official. After previously squashing any plans for an R40 tour with comments that it wouldn't be until at least 2016 before the band tour again, Rush has finally announced that there are now plans in the works for a 2015 spring tour, or as Alex Lifeson put it "It's going to be a 41st anniversary tour, or whatever they're going to call it."

"We haven't really talked seriously about what we want to do," says Lifeson. "But I think we're probably going to lean towards making it a real sort of fan event, and really try to put something together that's very pleasing for the fans across the board. That's always been difficult, for us to sort of balance things."

Today Neil Peart updated his website with the latest edition of News, Weather & Sports titled "Not All Days Are Sundays". Neil regales us of his latest winter adventures in Quebec, and shares his grief over the passing of his brother-in-law, Steven Taylor.

On Monday Billboard posted their list of "The 40 Highest Earning Musicians in 2013", and coming in at #35 was Rush at $9,050,583.42. Topping the list was pop star Taylor Swift $39,699,575.60 (yeah, a whopping $30.5 million more than Rush's total!). Thanks to the B-man for the headsup!

The Kidney Foundation of Canada has posted a new press release announcing the launching of a free Online Risk Assessment tool. The PR reminds us that March is Kidney Health month, and that Alex Lifeson has been instrumental in raising awareness:

"Thanks to celebrity spokesperson Alex Lifeson's participation in a new public service announcement, we are able to help raise awareness of the risk factors for kidney disease. Canadians will also have a health information e-tool at their fingertips and a printed risk assessment they can share with their healthcare provider - crucial resources for their kidney health management."

Yesterday ProgReport.com posted a new interview with
John Wesley. During the interview, Wesley credits Alex Lifeson as a
large inspiration behind the "heavy guitar sound" emulated by Porcupine
Tree. In addition, he talks about how Alex came to record on his solo
album. You can tune in here, he first discusses Lifeson and Rush at the 8:55 mark, and again at the 16:50 mark. - Thanks to Brad P for the headsup!

Last night author Kevin J. Anderson posted an update to his blog explaining the different cover versions available to you for the Clockwork Angels comic book series coming on March 19th:

"BOOM! Studios will release the first issue (of six) of CLOCKWORK ANGELS: The Graphic Novel, scripted by me and with art by Nick Robles in a few weeks. The comic will debut at Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle on March 28, with a special exclusive cover for ECCC. There will be three variant covers in comic stores, an exclusive cover for the rush.com and BOOM! websites, and a limited cover for distribution with the Larry’s Comics chain. All copies are about $4 retail."

UPDATE: Check out Caleb's comments last night following his performance of "Working Man", where he reacts to Harry Connick Jr's comment and shares more of his love of Rush.

Last week on American Idol, performer Caleb Johnson informed us that his favorite band was Rush. And tonight, Caleb performed "Working Man". You can check out the performance below; to vote for Caleb, click here. - Thanks to Brad P for the headsup!

Neil Peart is featured in the March issue of BMW Owners News, the official magazine of the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America. The eight page feature Backroads & Backbeats: Neil Peart takes the Scenic Way to Work is an interview with Neil about his motorcycle trips while on tour with Rush. - Thanks to Ed at Rush Is A Band for the headsup!

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